Boris Johnson considers Australian-style Points Based System

Boris Johnson, one of the two remaining candidates in the ongoing Conservative Party leadership race, recently stated that he would consider introducing an Australian-style points based system.

Speaking about the topic of UK immigration, he said, “What I would like to do is get the Migration Advisory Committee to look really properly at the Australian-style points-based system.”

This was also a prominent proposal during the 2016 referendum, suggested by the Leave campaign of which Boris Johnson was a key figure. 

What does the Australian-style points based system entail?

With an Australian-style points-based system, “points” are awarded based on indices such as English language fluency, being within a salary threshold and corporate sponsorship. 

An individual’s points are also awarded in accordance with their professional traits and characteristics, as well as their education and time served in the occupation they are pursuing in the country. If replicated here, a similar immigration system would mean that those who migrate to the UK would typically need to be pursuing in-demand work. 

Currently in Australia, the points requirement for a migrant hoping to enter as a skilled worker is 65. Points are awarded on different levels, for example being aged 18-14 would grant a worker 25 points, but being aged 25-32 would award 30. Points are also awarded for different levels of work experience; for example, one year’s experience in the profession would award 5 points, whereas three years would award 10.

How this is different from a UK skills-based system

As a current member of the EU, European nationals have the benefit of freedom of movement, allowing them to come to the UK without needing a visa to work. Post-Brexit, skilled workers coming to the UK would need to be sponsored by their employer and would have a minimum salary of £30,000. Lower-skilled workers coming to the UK would be capped at 12 months. This system, however, wouldn’t assess migrants based on indices such as age or qualifications like the Australian system would and instead trusts the employer to determine if the individual is qualified to migrate to the UK.

The Australian system, on the other hand, relies more on a centralised assessment of professional characteristics, meaning a more central decision on whether or not the individual can proceed with the migration.

If you need advice on obtaining a UK visa or any legal aspect of UK migration, speak to us at Richmond Chambers today.

PHOTO: Did he kiss a crocodile? He sure did. (ABC: Vicki Kerrigan)